IRISH LEAGUE: Dungannon beat Glentoran to move clear of drop zone

Dungannon Swifts moved four points clear of the drop zone after turning on the style to beat Glentoran at Stangmore Park.

Two goals from Paul McElroy and a late third from sub Ally Teggart secured the points.

McElroy’s first was questionable, with the ball taking a deflection off the goalkeeper, although few will begrudge him the glory.

So too Dungannon, who more than merited what was only their fifth league win of the campaign.

Boss Rodney McAree said: “After the first 15 minutes we really got to grips with the game.

“Our shape was good when they had the ball, and we limited them to very little.

“We conceded a poor goal but got back in front, and at 2-1 our game management was excellent.”

The game got off to an explosive start with a goal inside seven minutes.

McElroy broke down the left wing and whipped in a cross, which struck the far post and was deflected over the line by the goalkeeper.

Curtis Allen twice went close for the visitors. His early effort had been turned away by the right boot of Andy Coleman, with the goalkeeper producing a second smart save minutes later to thwart his shot on the turn.

McElroy went close to adding to Swifts’ lead with an inswinging corner which had to be helped over the bar by Aaron Hogg.

The winger, who recently signed a new contact at Stangmore Park, also went close with a drive from distance which Hogg blocked.

Glentoran levelled 10 minutes into the second half. A corner was only half cleared and Johnny Addis side-stepped a defender before drilling an effort into the corner.

But they were level for just six minutes, as McElroy struck again. It followed superb work from Andrew Mitchell, who turned a defender and crossed for the 21-year-old to head home.

Coleman produced another top-drawer save to divert Marcus Kane’s effort over the bar.

But Swifts wrapped up the points with eight minutes remaining.

A superb move ended with Jarlath O’Rourke pulling the ball across the box. Kris Lowe miscued, but Teggart was on hand to fire home.